Sprinkler attachments



June 25, 1963 c. M. M cHEsNEY SPRINKLER ATTACHMENTS 3 Sheets-Sheet 1Filed Aug. 27, 1962 \uhu 385/] aaA A LL39A 33 INVENTOR. CHESTER M. MacCHESNEY June 25, 1963 c. M. M cHEsNEY SPRINKLER ATTACHMENTS 3Shee'ts-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 27, 1962 INVENTOR.

CHESTER M. MGCCHESNEY 3 W470 J ATTYS.

3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Aug. 27, 1962 INVENTOR CHESTER M. MGCCHE SNE YUnited States Patent 3,095,151 SPRILJKLER ATTACHMENTS Chester M.MacChesney, Chicago, 111., assignor to Ellarnac Incorporated, Chicago,BL, a corporation of Illinois Filed Aug. 27, 1962, Ser. No. 219,400 9Qlairns. (Cl. 239-267) The present invention relates to sprinklerattachments for a garden hose, or the like, and more particularly tosuch attachments that are adapted to be incorporated at spaced intervalsin a garden hose for the purpose of efiecting sprinkling of a large areaof a lawn, or the like.

The sprinkler attachment of the present invention comprises animprovement over the sprinkler attachment disclosed in US. Patent No.2,737,418, granted on March 16, 1956 to Chester M. MacChesney; whichsprinkler attachment is arranged in a garden hose and comprises asubstantially ball-like casing having a longitudinal axis and providedwith an annular array of sprinkler ports therein communicating with theinterior thereof, and automatic mechanism arranged in the casing andoperative when the casing is disposed with the longitudinal axis thereofin a generally horizontal position independently of the portion of thecasing that is positioned downwardly for cutting-off the supply of waterfrom the interior of the casing to all of the ones of the sprinklerports that are generally directed downwardly, whereby the sprinklerattachment always produces a water fan that is directed generallyupwardly and radially outwardly from the casing and substantially normalto the longitudinal axis thereof.

Accordingly, it is a general object of the invention to provide asprinkler attachment of the character described that is of improved andsimplified construction and arrangernent.

Another object of the invention is to provide a sprinkler attachment ofthe character described comprising a substantially ball-like hollowcasing having a longitudinal axis, a tube carried by an end portion ofthe casing and communicating with the interior thereof, wherein theouter end of the tube is adapted to be connected to a section of theassociated garden hose to supply Water into the interior of the casing,and wherein the casing has two independent and longitudinallyspaced-apart annular arrays of sprinkler ports therein that commonlycommunicate with the interior thereof and that are directed generallyradially outwardly therefrom, and automatic mechanism arranged in thecasing and operative when the casing is disposed with the longitudinalaxis thereof in a generally horizontal position and independently thecasing that is positioned downwardly for cutting-0E the supply of waterfrom the interior of the casin to all of the sprinkler ports in the twoannular arrays that are directed generally downwardly.

Another object of the invention is to provide a sprinkler attachment ofthe character described, wherein the automatic mechanism that isarranged in the casing is operative to close all of the sprinkler portsin one of the annular arrays, except those sprinlder ports therein thatare directed both upwardly and to the right, and to close all of thesprinkler ports in the other of the annular arrays except thosesprinkler ports therein that are directed both upwardly and to the left,all as viewed from one end of the casing.

A further object of the invention is to provide a sprinkler attachmentof the character described, and further comprising a manually operablevalve element carried by the casing and selectively cooperating with thevalve ports in the two annular arrays, wherein the valve element has afirst position opening all of the sprinkler ports in both of the annulararrays and a second posiof the portion of 0 tion closing all of thesprinkler ports in one of the annular arrays and a third positionclosing all of the sprinkler ports in the other of the annular arrays,whereby the sprinkler attachment produces a first water fan from thesprinkler ports in the one annular array that are both supplied withwater and are in open condition and produces a second water fan from thesprinkler ports in the other annular array that are both supplied withwater and are in an open condition, wherein the first water fan isdirected both upwardly and to the right and the second water fan isdirected both upwardly and to the left, all as viewed from one end ofthe casing.

A further object of the invention is to provide a sprinkler attachmentof the character described, wherein the casing includes an intermediatesection having a generally ring-shaped configuration and disposedbetween the sprinkler ports in the two annular arrays, and wherein themanually operable valve element has a substantially ring-likeconfiguration and surrounds the intermediate casing section and ismounted thereupon for longitudinal movements with respect theretoselectively into its first, second and third positions mentioned.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a sprinklerattachment of the character described that com prises an improved casingassembly including two substantially identical end casing sections, eachof substantially cup-shaped configuration, and that respectively carrytwo annular metal rings in which the sprinkler ports in the two annulararrays are respectively formed, thereby to achieve an economicalconstruction and arrangement of the sprinkler attachment.

Further features of the invention pertain to the particular arrangementof the elements of the sprinkler attachment, whereby the above-outlinedand additional operating features thereof are attained.

The invention, both as to its organization and method of operation,together with further objects and advantages thereof, will best beunderstood by reference to the following specification, taken inconnection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a garden hose incorporating aplurality of sprinkler attachments embodying the present invention;

PEG. 2 is a side elevational view, partly broken away, of the firstsprinkler attachment incorporated in the 1 garden hose, as shown in FIG.1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary side e-levational view of the last sprinklerattachment incorporated in the garden hose, as shown in FIG. 1, andillustrating an associated end cap carried by this sprinkler attachment;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of the first sprinklerattachment, as shown in FIG. 2, and illustrating in its central positiona manually operable valve element carried by the casing of thissprinkler attachment;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal sectional view, similarto FIG. 4, of the upper portion of the first sprinkler attachment, andillustrating in one of its end positions the manually operable valveelement carried by the casing of this sprinkler attachment.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary lateral sectional view of the firstsprinkler attachment, this view being taken in the direction of thearrows along the line 6-6 in FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is another enlarged fragmentary lateral sectional view of thefirst sprinkler attachment, this view being taken in the direction ofthe arrows along the line 77 in FIG. 4; and

FIG. 8 is yet another enlarged lateral sectional view of the firstsprinkler attachment, this view being taken in the direction of thearrows along the line 8-8 in FIG. 4.

. section 11a to the first device 10a is used Referring now to FIG. 1 ofthe drawings, there are illustrated three sprinkler attachments ordevices 16a,

10b and ltic of identical construction and each embodying the featuresof the present invention. The three devices 16a, 16b and the arearranged in series relation in a garden hose including the correspondingsections 11a, 11b and lie, whereby the first hose section is connectedto the first device 10a, the second hose section 11b is connectedbetween the first and second devices 18a and 1%, and the third'hosesection 11c is connected between the second and third devices 1% andTitle. The first hose section 11a is also provided with a connector 12that may be readily connected and disconnected with respect to a sillcook 13 carried by a building .14 and connected therein to a pressurizedwater supply system, not shown. The garden hose is arranged in apredetermined pattern upon a lawn, or the like, 1'5 that is to bewatered or sprinkled,

' so that the devices 16a, 1% and ltic are disposed in spaced-apartrelation in order to cover elfectively a substantially large area of thelawn 15. The third or last device 100 in the series in the garden hosecarries a cap 16 closing the normal outlet therefrom.

In view of the foregoing, it will be understood, that a portion of thewater supplied by the first hose thereby and the remainder of this wateris supplied from the first device 100! to the second hose section 11b.Similarly, a portion of the water supplied 'by the second hose section11b to the second. device 1012 is used thereby and the remainder of thiswater is supplied from the second device 10b to the third hose sectionltlc. Finally, all of the water supplied by the third hose section 110to the third device 100 is used thereby due to the fact that the normaloutlet from the-third device =lc is closed by the cap 16.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 4, the first device ltla there illustratedessentially comprises a longitudinally extending substantiallycylindrical tube 2% carrying at the opposite ends thereof twolongitudinally extending external threads 21 and 22. The outer end ofthe first hose section 11a is fitted over one end of the tube 20 toenclose the thread 21 and is secured in place thereon by a conventionalhose clamp 23; similarly, the inner end of the second hose section 1112is fitted over the other end of the tube 20 to enclose the thread 22 andis secured in place thereon by a-conventicnal hose clamp 24. Thus, thetube 20 communicates directly between the outer end of the first hosesection 11a and the inner end of the second hose section 1112.

Referring now to FIG. 3, it will be observed that in the third device106 the cap .16 is directly threaded upon the outer end of the thread 22carried by the other end of the tube 20, thereby to close the same,since the third device 160 comprises the last of the devices included inthe series in the garden hose, as previously explained.

Again referring to FIGS. 2 and 4, the first device Illa turthercomprises a substantially ball-like hollow casing assembly removablycarried by the intermediate portion of the tube 20 in surroundingrelation therewith; which casing assembly includes an intermediatesection 31 having a generally ring-shaped configuration and a pair ofidentical end casing sections 32 land 33 each having a generallycup-shaped configuration. The tube 20 is formed of a suitable aluminumalloy; the intermediate casing section 31 is formed of a suitable brass;and each of the end casing sections 32 and 33 is integrally molded of asuitable rigid plastic material, such, for example, asphenol-formaldehyde condensation products. The end casing section 32comprises an inwardly projecting annular shoulder 34 that carries asubstantially ring-like body 35; and likewise, the end casing section 33comprises an inwardly projecting annular shoulder 36 that carries asubstantially ring-like body 37; which bodies 35 and 37 are identical,each being integrally molded of a suitable resilient material, such as asynthetic elastomeric rubber-like composition. respectively carry metalbands 33 and 39 respectively surrounding substantially cylindrical outersurfaces thereof. Also, the bodies 35 and 37 respectively carry metalrings 4% and 41 respectively surrounding annular inner surfaces thereof.The bands 38 and 39 and the rings 49 and 41 may be formed of a suitablebrass.

The end casing section 32 includes an outer end wall in which there isprovided a cylindrical hole 42 that is arranged-concentric'with thelongitudinal axis of the end casing section 32 and which hole 4-2closely fits over the.

adjacent section of the tube 2% when the end casing section 32 occupiesits assembled position upon the tube 2%; and, similarly, the end casingsection 33 includes an outer end wall in which there is provided acylindrical hole 43 that is arranged concentric with the longitudinalaxis of the end casing section 33- and which hole 43 closely fits overthe adjacent section of the tube 26 when the end casing section 33occupie its assembled position upon the tube 24 In the casing assembly,the end casing sections 32 and 33 are disposed on opposite sides of theintermediate casing section 31 and in facing relation therewith. The endcasing section 32 has a substantially centrally disposed cylindricalcavity 44- therein; and, similarly, the end casing section 33 has asubstantially centrally disposed cylindrical cavity :5 the-rein; whichcavities 44 and 45 are arranged in facing and communicating relationwith a cavity 46 provided in the intermediate casing section 31. The endcasing section 32 carries a plurality of radially inwardly directed andlongitudinally extending ribs 47 disposed in the cavity 44 and engagingthe surrounded section of the tube 2%, when the casing section 32occupies its assembled position thereon, so as concentrically to locatethe casing section 32 with respect to the longitudinal axis of the tube29. Similarly, the end casing section 33 carries a plurality of radiallyinwardly directed and longitudinally extending ribs 48 disposed in thecavity 45 and engaging the surrounded section of the tube 20, when thecasing section 33 occupies its assembled position thereon, so asconcentrically to locate the casing section 33 with respect to thelongitudinal axis of the tube 26. Further, the intermediate portion ofthe tube 20 has a series of longitudinally spaced-apart cross holes 20a,2%, 20c, 26d, 20:: and 2ilfformed therein that communicate with thecomposite cavity formed in the casing assembly by the individualcavities 44, 45 and 4-6, whereby water under pressure is supplied fromthe interior of the tube 2% via the holes 2%, etc., into the interior ofthe casing assembly.

in the casing assembly, the end casing sections 32 and 33 are clampedinto respective facing relation with the opposite sides of theintermediate casing section 31, the inner annular surfaces of the bodies35 and 37 respectively directly engaging the rings 40 and 41, and theouter peripheral portions of the rings 40 and 41 respectively fittinginto corresponding annular recesses 31a and 31b respectively provided inthe opposite sides of the intermediate casing section 31. The clampingtogether of the casing sections 31, 32 and 33 into the casing assemblyis effected by an arrangement comprising a pair of nuts 51 and 52respectively carried by the threads 21 and 22 respectively provided onthe opposite ends of the tube '26, respectively adjacent metal washers53 and 54, and respectively adjacent 0 rings 55- and 56 formed ofrubber, or the like,.and respectively engaging the adjacent outer endwalls of the respective end casing sections 32 and 33, the elements 53,54 and 55 and 56 also surround the tube 2%; whereby water-tight jointsare provided between the casing sections 31, 32 and 31, 33 and betweenthev tube 20 and the casing sections 32 and 33. Thus, the nuts 51 and 52comprise abutments carried by the tube 29 between which the elements 53,55, 32, 31, 33, 56 and 54 are clamped in assembled relation, as notedabove. Of course, after removal of the hose sections 11a and 11b.

The bodies 35 and 37 either of the nuts 51 or 52 maybe removed from theadjacent end of the tube 20, whereupon the other of the elements 53,etc., or 54, etc., may be removed in sequence from the tube 29, so as toaccommodate repair or replacement of any one of these elements.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 6, the resilient body 37 carried by theannular shoulder 36 of the end casing section 33 is integrally molded,as previously noted, whereby the same comprises the previously mentionedsubstantially cylindrical outer surface in which there are provided aplurality of pockets 37a arranged in circumferentially spaced-apartrelation; and also, the resilient body 37 comprises the previouslymentioned substantially annular inner surface in which there areprovided a corresponding plurality of passages 37b arranged incircumferentially spaced-apart relation; and in the arrangement, thepassages 37 b respectively communicate with inner portions of thepockets 37a. The ring 41 overlies the annular surface mentioned of theresilient body 37' and has a corresponding plurality of valve ports 41aformed therein and arranged in circumferentially spaced-apart relation;which valve ports 41a respectively communicate with the passages 37bformed in the resilient body 37; and which valve ports 41a commonlycommunicate with the composite cavity defined in the casing assembly.The band 39 overlies the cylindrical surface mentioned of the resilientbody 34 and has a corresponding plurality of sets of sprinkler portsformed therein and arranged in circumferentially spaced-apart relation;which sets of sprinkler ports respectively communicate with the pockets37a formed in the resilient body 37. The constructions of the elements35, 3S and 46 respectively correspond to those of the elements 37, 39and 41, as described above; whereby the resilient body 35 comprises thepockets 35a and the passages 3511, the band 38 comprises the pluralityof sets of sprinkler ports, and the ring 49 comprises the valve ports460.

More particularly, each of the sets of sprinkler ports formed in theband 39 comprises, as best shown in FIG. 2, three individual sprinklerports 39a, 39b and 39c; and in the arrangement, the sprinkler ports 39aare arranged in a first annular array positioned around the band 39, thesprinkler ports 3% :are arranged in a second annular array positionedaround the band 39, and the sprinkler ports 39c are arranged in a thirdannular array positioned around the band 39. The first annular array ofsprinkler ports 39a formed in the band 39 are arranged in a firstforwardly disposed lateral plane, indicated at 39A; the second annulararray of sprinkler ports 3% formed in the band 39 are arranged in asecond rearwardly disposed lateral plane, indicated at 39B; and thethird annular array of sprinkler ports 39c formed in the band 39 arearranged in a third lateral plane, indicated at 39C and disposedintermediate the planes 39A and 393. The first sprinkler ports 3% aredirected generally radially outwardly from the band 39 with a rearwardinclination, as indicated by the correspondingly directed broken line39a in FIG. 2; the second sprinkler ports 3% are directed generallyradially outwardly from the band 39 with a forward inclination, asindicated by the correspondingly directed broken line 39b in FIG. 2; andthe third sprinkler ports 390 are directed generally radially outwardlyfrom the band 39 and substantially in the plane 39C, as indicated by thecorrespondingly directed broken line 390' in FIG. 2. Also, theindividual sprinkler ports 39c are angula-rly offset with respect to thecorresponding individual sprinkler ports 39a, and the individualsprinkler ports 3% are angularly offset with respect to thecorresponding individual sprinkler ports 390, as clearly shown in FIG.2.

In order to insure proper registry of the passages 37b formed in theresilient body 37 and the valve ports 41:: formed in the ring 41, theannular shoulder 36 carried by the end casing section 33 is providedwith three angularly spaced-apart outwardly directed projections 36athat fit into three corresponding grooves formed in the inner surface ofthe resilient body 37 and that fit into three corresponding alignedgrooves formed in the inner edge of the ring 41, as shown in FIGS. 4 and6. The construction of the elements 34, 35, 38 and 40 respectivelycorrespond to those of the elements 36, 37, 3? and 41, as describedabove; whereby the band 38, comprises the plurality of sets of sprinklerports, each including the three individual sprinkler ports 33a, 38b and380, with the three annular arrays of sprinkler ports mentionedrespectively disposed in the three corresponding planes 38A, 38B and38C, and respectively correspondingly directed, as indicated by thebroken lines 38a, 38b and 38c, as shown in FIG. 2.

Further, the first device 10a comprises mechanism for selectivelycontrolling valving of the valve ports 40a formed in the ring 46 andvalving of the valve ports 41a formed in the ring 41, More particularly,a first annular trackway 61 is formed in the midportion of the tube 26and surrounded by the intermediate casing section 3i; and a secondannular trackway 62 is formed by the interior surface of theintermediate casing section 31; wherein the second annular trackway 62surrounds the first annular trackway 61 in radially outwardly spacedapart relation therewith, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 8. A substantiallyU-shaped member 63 is arranged in the cavity 46 and including a pair oflegs 64 and 65 and a connecting head 66. The ends of the legs 64 and 65have longitudinally spaced-apart and aligned circular holes formedtherein through which the intermediate portion of the tube 26 projects,the legs 63 :and 64 being disposed on opposite sides of the firsttrackway 61 formed in the tube 20. Accordingly, the member 63 is looselymounted upon the tube 20 for relative rotation with respect thereto andconstitutes a pendulum, as explained more fully below. A substantiallycircular hole 66a is formed in the central portion of the head 66, andan enlarged sphere or ball 67 is arranged mutually between the trackways61 and 62 and within the hole 66a in the head 66. The hole 66a has adiameter that is slightly smaller than that of the sphere 67, so thatthe sphere 67 is thus trapped in the hole 66a in the head 66 of themember 63 and between the trackways 61 and 62. In the mechanismdescribed, the member 63 is preferably formed of a suitable aluminumalloy, and the sphere 67 is preferably formed of a suitable brass orbronze.

In view of the foregoing, it will be understood that when the tube 26 isdisposed in a generally horizontal position, the sphere 67 is gravitybiased into a bottom position in the trackway 62, regardless of theportion of the casing assembly that is positioned downwardly, wherebythe sphere 67 rolling in the trackways 61 and 62 into its bottomposition pivots or rotates the member 63 as a pendulum into a downwardlydirected position. The leg 64 of the member 63 carries a pair ofoutwardly projecting pins 68 disposed on opposite sides of the tube 2%;and a substantially disk-like valve element 69 is removably secured tothe outer side of the leg 64 with a metal washer 70 disposedtherebetween, the valve element 69 and the washer '76 both surroundingthe adjacent section of the tube 25 The valve element 69 is properlylocated with respect to the adjacent leg 64 by the projection of the twopins 68 through two corresponding holes formed through the valve element69. The valve element 69 is positioned immediately adjacent to theassociated surface of the ring 40 and thus in cooperating relation withcertain of the valve ports 49a formed therein. Similarly, the leg 65carries a pair of outwardly projecting pins 71 disposed on oppositesides of the tube 20; and a substantially disk-like valve element 72 isremovably secured to the outer side of the leg 65 with a metal washer 73disposed therebetween, the valve element 72 and the washer 73 bothsurrounding the adjacent section of the tube 29. The valve element 72 isproperly located with respect to the adjacent leg 65 by the projectionof the two pins 71 through two corv 7 responding holes formed throughthe valve element 72. The valve element 72 is positioned immediatelyadjacent to the-associated surface of the ring 41 and thus incooperating relation with certain of the valve ports 41a formed therein.

More particularly, as shown in FIG. 7, an upper lefthand segment hasbeen cut-out of the valve element 72, whereby the valve element '72overlies and closes all of the valve ports 41a provided in the ring 41,except those valve ports 41a that are disposed in the upper left-handsegment of the ring 41 and that are connected by the passages 37b to theones of the sprinkler ports 3%, 3% and 3% formed in the band 39 that aredirected upwandly and to the left, as viewed in FIG. 7; whereby thewater fan that is projected from the band 39 is always directed upwardlyand to the left, as indicated by the broken lines 39', as shown in FIG.7, and as Viewed from the end casing section 33 toward the intermediatecasing section 3-1, as seen in FIG. 2. Similarly, as shown in PEG. 8, anupper right-hand segment has been cut-out of the valve element 69,whereby the valve element 6? overlies and closes all of the valve ports48a provided in the ring 40, except those valve ports ltia that aredisposed in the upper right-hand segment of the ring 4t} and that areconnected by the passages 35b to the ones of the sprinkler ports 38a,38b and She formed in the band 38 that are directed upwardly and to theright, as viewed in FIG. 8; whereby the water fan that is projected fromthe band 38 is always directed upwardly and to the right, as indicatedby the broken lines 33, as shown in FIG. 8, :and as viewed from-the endcasing section 3-3 toward the intermediate casing section 31, as seen inFIG. 2. Since the rings 40 and 41 are respectively carried by the casingsections 32 and 33 they rotate therewith, as the casing assembly isrolled into various positions along the lawn 15, as shown in FIG. 1;however, the pendulum 63 is always downwardly directed, as previouslyexplained; whereby the valve elements 69 and 72 always respectivelyuncover only the upper lefthand segment of the valve ports 41a and theupper righthand segment of the valve ports 490, with the constant resultthat the water fan 39' from the band 39 is directed upwardly and to theleft and the water fan 38 from the band 38 is directed upwardly and tothe right, as respectively illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, and regardlessof the portion of the casing assembly that is positioned downwardly andin contact with the lawn 15, as shown in FIG. 1.

In the arrangement, the two valve elements 6% and 72 are of identicalconstruction, and each thereof comprises a flexible sheet of resilientmaterial, such, for example, as a synthetic rubber. Thus, to produce thetwo valve elements 69 and 72, two identical valve elements are merelyassembled in oppositely facing directions upon the two sets of pins 68and 71; which assembly produces the respective directions (left andright) of the two water fans 39' and 33' from the respective bands 39and 38.

Finally, the first device that comprises a manually operable valveelement 71 of substantially ring-like form and mounted upon theintermediate casing section 31 in surrounding relation therewith andselectively movable between an intermediate position, as shown in FIG.4, a first end position, as shown in full lines in FIG. 5, and a secondend position, as shown in broken lines in FIG. 5. The valve element 71is of composite construction including an inner ring 72 formed ofresilient elastomeric material, such as a synthetic rubber, and an outerring 73 formed of :a suitable brass. The inner ring 72 selectivelycooperates with the bands 38 and 39 selectively to close all of thesprinkler ports 33a, etc., and 3911, etc,

respectively formed therein; while outer ring 73 holds the inner ring 72in place therein and serves as facility for efiectingready longitudinalshifting or sliding of the inner ring 72 upon the intermediate casingsection 31 and upon the two bands 38 and 39.

When the valve element 71 occupies its intermediate position, :as shownin FIG. 4, the inner ring 72 is compressed between the outer surface ofthe intermediate casing section 31 and the inner surface of the outerring the outer surface of the band 38 and some of the com pression isrelieved upon the inner ring 72, with the 7 result that the inner ring72 expands and fits substantially the sides of the concave band 38serving to stopper all of the spninkler ports 38a, etc., formed therein;whereby the first device ma is operative to project only the water fan3% from the band 39, as previously described in connection with FIG. 7.When the valve element 71 occupies its other end post-ion, as shown indotted lines in FIG. 5, the inner ring 72 is positioned in surroundingrelation with the outer surface of the band 39 and some of thecompression is relieved upon the inner ring 72, with the result that theinner ring 72 expands and fits substantially the sides of the concaveband 39 serving to stopper all of the sprinkler ports 39a, etc., formedtherein, whereby the first device ltia is operative to pro-- ject onlythe water fan 38 from the band 38, as previously described in connectionwith FIG. 8.

Accordingly, the first device 10a is selectively operative to produceboth of the water fans 38' and 39, only the water fan 38, or only thewater fan 39', in response to operation of the valve element 71 into theindividual ones of its three positions, as described above; whicharrangement is very advantageous, since it accommodates adjustment ofthe characteristic of the first device 1% depending upon its individuallocation upon the lawn 15, so as' to prevent objectionable operationthereof to project its:

water fan upon a walkway, etc.

As a constructional example of the first device 10 w: the tube 2% mayhave an overall length of about 6 and an inside diameter of about0.580"; the intermediate casing section 31 may have an overall length ofabout 7 and an outside diameter of about 2.340"; and the remainder ofthe dimensions of the other elements thereof may be selected from thescale of the drawings employing as a base the above noted dimensions.

Of course, the construction and arrangement and mode of operation of theother devices 10b and Ida are the same as those described with referenceto the first device 10a;

and in passing, it is mentioned that there is no particular number ofthe devices that should be included in the garden hose, since suchnumber is appropriately selected in view of the water pressure that isencountered in the water supply system to which the garden hose isconnected. However, with the normal range of water pressure that isordinarily encountered in city water supply ,systerns, the inclusion ofabout three of the devices in the garden hose is generally recommended.7

In view of the foregoing, it is apparent thatthere has been provided asprinkler attachment or device of improved and simplified constructionand arrangement which is automatically operative to discharge watertherefrom onlyin a generally upward direction, regardless of itssupported position upon a lawn, or the like, and which may beselectively preset to limit the upward discharge of water therefrom,either to the right or to the left, as viewed from one end of the casingof the device, thereby always to effect gentle watering or sprinkling ofthe lawn, without damage thereto, and in a controlled or preset patterncovering a maximum area thereof.

1 While there has been described What is at present considered to be thepreferred embodiment of the invention, it will be understood thatvarious modifications may be made therein, and'it is intended to coverin the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the truespirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A sprinkler attachment comprising a substantially ball-like hollowcasing having a longitudinal axis, a tube carried by an end portion ofsaid casing and communicating with the interior thereof, the outer endof said tube accommodating the connection thereto of a water hosesection in order to supply water into the interior of said casing, saidcasing having two longitudinally spaced-apart annular arrays ofsprinkler ports therein that commonly communicate with the interiorthereof and that are directed generally radially outwardly therefrom,automatic mechanism arranged in said casing and operative when saidcasing is disposed with the longitudinal axis thereof in a generallyhorizontal position and independently of the portion of said casing thatis positioned downwardly for cutting-off the supply of water from theinterior of said casing to all of the sprinkler ports in said twoannular arrays that are directed generally downwardly, and a manuallyoperable valve element carried by said casing and selectivelycooperating with the sprinkler ports in said two annular arrays, saidvalve element having a first position opening all of the sprinkler portsin said two annular arrays and a second position closing all of thesprinkler ports in one of said annular arrays and a third positionclosing all of the sprinkler ports in the other of said annular arrays.

2. A sprinkler attachment comprising a substantially ball-like hollowcasing having a longitudinal axis, a tube carried by an end portion ofsaid casing and communicating with the interior thereof, the outer endof said tube accommodating the connection thereto of a water hosesection in order to supply Water into the interior of said casing, saidcasing having two longitudinally spaced-apart annular arrays ofsprinkler ports therein that commonly communicate with the interiorthereof and that are directed generally radially outwardly therefrom,automatic mechanism arranged in said casing and operative when saidcasing is disposed with the longitudinal axis thereof in a generallyhorizontal position and independently of the portion of said casing thatis positioned downwardly for cutting-off the supply of Water from theinterior of said casing to all of the sprinkler ports in said twoannular arrays that are directed generally downwardly, said casingincluding an intermediate section having a generally ringshapedconfiguration and disposed between the sprinkler ports in said twoannular arrays, and a manually operable valve element having asubstantially ring-like configuration and surrounding said intermediatecasing section and mounted thereupon for longitudinal movements withrespect thereto and selectively cooperating with the sprinkler ports insaid two annular arrays, said valve element having an intermediateposition opening all of the sprinkler ports in said two annular arraysand one end position closing all of the sprinkler ports in any of saidannular arrays and another end position closing all of the sprinklerports in the other of said annular arrays.

3. A sprinkler attachment comprising a substantially ball-like hollowcasing having a longitudinal axis, a tube carried by an end portion ofsaid casing and communicating with the interior thereof, the outer endof said tube accommodating the connection thereto of a water hosesection in order to supply water into the interior of said casing, saidcasing having two longitudinally spaced-apart annular arrays ofsprinkler ports therein that commonly communicate with the interiorthereof and that are directed generally radially outwardly therefrom,automatic mechanism arranged in said casing and operative when saidcasing is disposed with the longitudinal axis thereof in a generallyhorizontal position and independently of the portion of said casing thatis positioned downwardly for cutting-oif the supply of water from theinterior of said casing to all of the sprinkler ports in said twoannular arrays that are directed generally downwardly, said casingincluding an intermediate section having a gen erally ring-shapedconguration and disposed between the sprinkler ports in said two annulararrays, and a manually operable valve element having a substantiallyringlike configuration and formed of elastomeric material and tightlysurrounding said intermediate casing section and mounted thereupon forlongitudinal movements with respect thereto and selectively cooperatingwith the sprinkler ports in said two annular arrays, said valve elementhaving an intermediate position uncovering and opening all of thesprinkler ports in said two annular arrays and one end position coveringand closing all of the sprinkler ports in one of said annular arrays andanother end position covering and closing all of the sprinkler ports inthe other of said annular arrays.

4. A sprinkler attachment comprising a substantially ball-like hollowcasing having a longitudinal axis, a tube carried by an end portion ofsaid casing and communicatwith the interior thereof, the outer end ofsaid tube accommodating the connection thereto of a water hose sectionin order to supply water into the interior of said casing, said casingincluding an intermediate section having a generally ring-shapedconfiguration, two metal rings carried by said casing in longitudinallyspaced-apart relation and respectively arranged adjacent to the oppositeends of said intermediate casing section, said rings having two annulararrays of sprinkler port-s respectively formed therein that commonlycommunicate with the interior of said casing and that are directedgenerally radially outwardly from said casing, automatic mechanismarranged in said casing and operative when said casing is disposed withthe longitudinal axis thereof in a generally horizontal position andindependently of the portion of said casing that is positioneddownwardly for cutting-off the supply of water from the interior of saidcasing to all of the sprinkler ports in said two annular arrays that aredirected generally downwardly, and a manually operable control elementhaving a substantially ring-like configuration and surrounding saidcasing and mounted thereupon for longitudinal movements with respectthereto, said control element having an intermediate positionsurrounding said intermediate casing section and a first end positionsurrounding a first of said rings and a second end position surroundinga second of said rings, said control element in either one of its endpositions surrounding the corresponding one of said rings covering andclosing all of the sprinkler ports in the corresponding one of saidannular arrays formed in said one ring.

5. A sprinkler attachment comprising a longitudinally extending tube, asubstantially ball-like hollow casing assembly removably carried by theintermediate portion of said tube in surrounding relation therewith,said casing assembly including an intermediate casing section having agenerally ring-shaped configuration and a pair of end casing sectionseach having a generally cup-shaped configuration, said end casingsections being disposed on opposite sides of said intermediate casingsection and in facing relation therewith in said casing assembly, a pairof abutment elements respectively carried by the opposite end portionsof said tube and respectively engaging the adjacent end portions of saidend casing sections for securing said casing sections together inwater-tight relation in said casing assembly, at least one of saidabutment elements being selectively removable from the associated endportion of said tube to accommodate the removal of said casing assemblyfrom the intermediate portion of said tube, the opposite ends of saidtube accommodating the connection thereto of two corresponding waterhose sections and the intermediate portion of said tube having anopening therein communicating with the interior of said casing assembly,said end casing sections respectively having two annular arrays ofsprinkler ports formed therein that are respectively disposed adjacentto the opposite sides of said intermediate casing section and thatcommonly communicate with the interior of said casing assembly and thatare directed generally radially outwardly from said casing assembly,automatic mechanism arranged in said casing assembly and operative whensaid' tube is disposed in a generally horizontal position andindependently of the portion of said casing assembly that is positioneddownwardly for cutting-off the supply of water from the interior of saidcasing assembly to all of the sprinkler ports in said two annular arraysthatare directed generally downwardly, and a manually operable controlelement having a substantially ring-like configuration and surroundingsaid casing assembly and mountedthereupon for longitudinal movementswith respect thereto, said control element having an intermediateposition surrounding said intermediate casing section and a first endposition surrounding the adjacent portion of a first of said end casingsections and a second end position surrounding the adjacent portion of asecond of said casing sections, said control element in either one ofits end positions surrounding the adjacent portion of the correspondingone of said end casing sections covering and closing the sprinkler portsin the corresponding one of said annular arrays formed in said one endcasing section.

6. A sprinkler attachment comprising a substantially ball-like hollowcasing having a longitudinal axis, a tube carried by an end portion ofsaid casing and communicating with the interior thereof, the outer endof said tube accommodating the connection thereto of a water hosesection in order to supply water into the interior of said casing, saidcasing having two annular arrays of sprinkler ports therein that arerespectively arranged substantially in two longitudinally spaced-apartsubstantially laterally extending planes, all of the sprinkler ports ineach of said annular arrays commonly communicating with the interior ofsaid casing and being generally radially directed outwardly therefrom inthe corresponding one of said'laterally extending planes, and automaticmechanism arranged in said casing and operative when said casing isdisposed with the longitudinal axis thereof in a generally horizontalposition and independently of the portion of said casing that ispositioned downwardly for closing all of the sprinkler ports in one ofsaid annular arrays except those sprinkler ports therein that aredirected both upwardly and to the right in the corresponding one laterally extending plane as viewed in the longitudinal direction from oneend of said casing and for closing all of the sprinkler ports in theother of said annular arrays except those sprinkler ports therein thatare directed both upwardly and to the left in the corresponding otherlaterally extending plane as viewed in the longitudinal directionfromsaid one end of said casing. 7

7. A sprinkler attachment comprising a substantially ball-like hollowcasing having a longitudinal axis, a tube carried by an end portion ofsaid casing and communicating with the interior thereof, the outer endof said tube accommodating the connection thereto of a water hosesection in order to supply water into the interior of said casing, saidcasing having two longitudinally spacedapart annular arrays of sprinklerports therein that commonly communicate with the interior thereof andthat are directed generally radially outwardly therefrom, automaticmechanism arranged in said casing and operative when said casing isdisposed with the longitudinal axis thereof in a generally horizontalposition and independently of the portion of said casing that ispositioned downwardly for cutting-off the supply of water from theinterior of said casing to all of the sprinkler ports in one of saidannular arrays except those sprinkler ports therein that are directedboth upwardly and to the right and for cutting-oil the supply of waterfrom the interior of said casing to all of the sprinkler ports in theother of said annular arrays except those sprinkler ports therein thatare directed both upwardly and to the left all as viewed from one end ofsaid casing, and a manually oper able valve element carried by saidcasing and selectively cooperating with the sprinkler ports in said twoannular arrays, said valve element having a first position opening allof the sprinkler ports in said two annular arrays and a second positionclosing all of the sprinkler ports in said one annular array and a thirdposition closing all of the sprinkler ports in said other annular array,whereby said sprinkler attachment produces a first water fan from thesprinkler ports in said one annular array that are both supplied andopen and produces a second water fan from the sprinkler ports in saidother annular array that are both supplied and open, wherein said firstwater fan is directed both upwardly and to the right and said secondwater fan is directed both upwardly and to the left all as viewed fromsaid one end of said casing.

8. A sprinkler attachment comprising a longitudinally extending tube, asubstantially ball-like hollow casing assembly removably carried by theintermediate portion of said tube in surrounding relation therewith,said casing assembly including an intermediate casing section havingagenerally ring-shaped configuration and a pair of end casing sectionseach having a generally cup-shaped configuration, said end casingse'ctionsbeing disposed on opposite sides of said intermediate casingsection and in facing relation therewith in said casing assembly, a pairof abutment elements respectively carried by the opposite end portionsof said tube and respectively engaging the adiacent end portions of saidend casing sections for securing said casing sections together inwater-tight relation in said casing assembly, at least one of saidabutment elements being selectively removable from the associated endportion of said tube to accommodate the removal of said casing assemblyfrom the intermediate portion of said tube, the opposite ends of saidtube accommodating the connection thereto of two corresponding waterhose sections and the intermediate portion of said tube having anopening therein communicating with the interior of said casing assembly,said end casing sections respectively having two annular arrays ofsprinkler ports formed therein that are respectively disposed adjacentto the opposite sides of said intermediate casing section and thatcommonly communicate with the interior of said casing assembly and thatare directed generally radially outwardly from said casing assembly, apendulum device arranged in said casing and surrounded by saidintermediate casing section and rotatably mounted upon the intermediateportion of said tube projecting through said intermediate casingsection, said pendulum device being operated into a position directeddownwardly when said tube is disposed in a generally horizontal positionand independently of the portion of said casing that is positioneddownwardly, two valve elements arranged in said casing and respectivelycooperating with the sprinkler ports in said two annular arrays, andmeans controlled by said pendulum device in its position directeddownwardly for operating said valve elements respectively to close allof the sprinkler ports in said two annular arrays that are directedgenerally downwardly.

9. A sprinkler attachment comprising a longitudinally extending tube, asubstantially ball-like 'hollow casing assembly removably carried by theintermediate portion of said tube in surrounding relation therewith,said casing assembly including an intermediate casing section having agenerally ring-shaped configuration and a pair of end casing sectionseach having a generally cup-shaped configuration, said end casingsections being disposed on opposite sides of said intermediate casingsection and in facing relation therewith in said casing assembly, a pairof abutment elements respectively carried by the opposite end portionsof said tube and respectively engaging the adjacent end portions of saidend casing sections for securing said casing sections together inwater-tight relation in said casing assembly, at least one of saidabutment elements being selectively removable from the associated endportion of said tube to accommodate the removal of said casing assemblyfrom the intermediate portion of said tube, the opposite ends of saidtube accommodating the connection thereto of two corresponding waterhose sections and the intermediate portion of said tube having anopening therein communicating with the interior of said casing assembly,said end casing sections respectively having two annular arrays ofsprinkler ports formed therein that are respectively disposed adjacentto the opposite sides of said intermediate casing section and thatcommonly communicate with the interior of said casing assembly and thatare directed generally radially outwardly from said casing assembly, apendulum device arranged in said casing and surrounded by saidintermediate casing section and rotatably mounted upon the intermediateportion of said tube projecting through said intermedia e casingsection, said pendulum device being operated into a position directeddownwardly when said tube is disposed in a generally hori- 14 zontalposition and independently of the portion of said casing that ispositioned downwardly, two valve elements arranged in said casing andrespectively cooperating with the sprinkler ports in said two annulararrays, and means controlled by said pendulum device in its positiondirected downwardly for operating one of said valve elements to closeall of the sprinkler ports in the cooperating one of said annular arraysexcept those sprinkler ports therein that are directed both upwardly andto the right and for operating the other of said valve elements to closeall of the sprinkler ports in the cooperating other of said annulararrays except those sprinkler ports therein that are directed bothupwardly and to the left all as viewed from one end of said casing.

MacChesney May 31, 1955 MacChesney Mar. 6, 1956

6. A SPRINKLER ATTACHMENT COMPRISING A SUBSTANTIALLY BALL-LIKE HOLLOWCASING HAVING A LONGITUDINAL AXIS, A TUBE CARRIED BY AN END PORTION OFSAID CASING AND COMMUNICATING WITH THE INTERIOR THEREOF, THE OUTER ENDOF SAID TUBE ACCOMMODATING THE CONNECTION THERETO OF A WATER HOSESECTION IN ORDER TO SUPPLY WATER INTO THE INTERIOR OF SAID CASING, SAIDCASING HAVING TWO ANNULAR ARRAYS OF SPRINKLER PORTS THEREIN THAT ARERESPECTIVELY ARRANGED SUBSTANTIALLY IN TWO LONGITUDINALLY SPACED-APARTSUBSTANTIALLY LATERALLY EXTENDING PLANES, ALL OF THE SPRINKLER PORTS INEACH OF SAID ANNULAR ARRAYS COMMONLY COMMUNICATING WITH THE INTERIOR OFSAID CASING AND BEING GENERALLY RADIALLY DIRECTED OUTWARDLY THEREFROM INTHE CORRESPONDING ONE OF SAID LATERALLY EXTENDING PLANES, AND AUTOMATICMECHANISM ARRANGED IN SAID CASING AND OPERATIVE WHEN SAID CASING ISDISPOSED WITH THE LONGITUDINAL AXIS THEREOF IN A GENERALLY HORIZONTALPOSITION AND INDEPENDENTLY OF THE PORTION OF SAID CASING THAT ISPOSITIONED DOWNWARDLY FOR CLOSING ALL OF THE SPRINKLER PORTS IN ONE OFSAID ANNULAR ARRAYS EXCEPT THOSE SPRINKLER PORTS THEREIN THAT AREDIRECTED BOTH UPWARDLY AND TO THE RIGHT IN THE CORRESPONDING ONELATERALLY EXTENDING PLANE AS VIEWED IN THE LONGITUDINAL DIRECTION FROMONE END OF SAID CASING AND FOR CLOSING ALL OF THE SPRINKLER PORTS IN THEOTHER OF SAID ANNULAR ARRAYS EXCEPT THOSE SPRINKLER PORTS THEREIN THATARE DIRECTED BOTH UPWARDLY AND TO THE LEFT IN THE CORRESPONDING OTHERLATERALLY EXTENDING PLANE AS VIEWED IN THE LONGITUDINAL DIRECTION FROMSAID ONE END OF SAID CASING.